Filly and Sire off to fast starts as Bode’s Dream wins Astoria

Bodemeister never raced as a two-year-old, but his first filly to race is showcasing her sire’s brilliance.

After winning her career debut on May 11 at Gulfstream Park by 3 3/4 lengths at odds of 1-5, Bode’s Dream captured the $197,000 Astoria Stakes in similar gate-to-wire fashion on Thursday at Belmont Park, going right to the lead from the outside post and registering a never-in-doubt triumph for Vincent and Teresa Viola’s St. Elias Stable.

“It was pretty easy,” jockey John Velazquez said. “She broke well, went right to the lead and just held it. We were a bit concerned being on the lead since speed is not holding but they’re babies so I left her alone, and she ended up running all the way around.”

Bode’s Dream set fractions of :22.13, :45.56 and :57.86 before completing 5 1/2 furlongs over the fast track in 1:03.66 to win by 2 3/4 lengths over China Grove.

“I was kind of concerned how the track was playing; it didn’t seem like speed was holding up very well,” trainer Todd Pletcher said. “She just caught a flyer at the start and was right on the lead right away. John did a smart thing and took advantage of it.”

Bode’s Dream is one of two foals by Bodemeister to start, and she is now a perfect two-for-two. Bodemeister won the Arkansas Derby (G1) and finished second to I’ll Have Another in both the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness Stakes (G1) in 2012. The seven-year-old Empire Maker stallion stands at Kenny Troutt’s WinStar Farm.

Bred in Kentucky by Gavin Murphy and Neil Bowden’s SF Bloodstock, Bode’s Dream is out of Grade 2 winner Frolic’s Dream, by Smoke Glacken, and sold to St. Elias Stable for $300,000 at the 2015 Keeneland September yearling sale. Bowden had acquired Frolic’s Dream for $320,000 at the 2009 Keeneland November breeding stock sale.

Bode’s Dream photo courtesy of NYRA/Adam Coglianese Photography